Fugent Law Firm

11/08/2026

10/08/2026

⚖️ Relief After 17 Years: High Court Acquits Two Brothers in 2009 Damoh Murder Case

The Jabalpur Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has granted significant relief to two brothers who were convicted in connection with the 2009 Damoh murder case. After nearly 17 years, the court set aside their life imprisonment sentences and acquitted them.

During the hearing, the court raised serious questions regarding the quality of the police investigation and the evidence presented by the prosecution.

The case relates to a murder that took place in Damoh district in 2009. Based on the evidence available before it, the trial court had convicted both brothers and sentenced them to life imprisonment. The matter was subsequently taken to the High Court, where the accused challenged their conviction and sentence.

During the proceedings before the High Court, it emerged that the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report relied upon by the prosecution as an important piece of evidence actually pertained to a different criminal case.

The court questioned the reliance on such a report as a basis for convicting the accused in the present case.

The High Court also raised questions regarding the FIR and the prosecution's version of events. The court observed that a person can be convicted only on the basis of reliable and relevant evidence.

After examining the record and the evidence available in the case, the High Court extended the benefit of doubt to the two brothers and ordered their acquittal.

The decision has provided the brothers with legal relief after nearly 17 years. It once again highlights the importance of the quality of criminal investigation, the relevance of evidence, and the reliability of proof in ensuring a fair judicial process.

The case serves as an important reminder that a criminal conviction must rest on credible, relevant, and legally reliable evidence—not merely on allegations or defective investigation

07/08/2026

The Supreme Court set aside the Karnataka High Court's order, holding that a cheque visibly altered from ₹10,000 to ₹1.10 lakh could not sustain a Section 138 NI Act conviction.

Key Legal Points:

Section 87 NI Act: Any material alteration in a negotiable instrument makes it void against parties who did not consent to it.

Section 138 NI Act: Needs a valid, unaltered cheque.

Burden: Once visible alteration is proved, the complainant must prove the drawer authorized it. If not, case fails.

07/08/2026

Arjun Jani v. State of Odisha
Acquittal in 2004 Hirli Triple Murder Case

Key Points from the SC Judgment:
1. Who: Arjun Jani
2. Case: 2004 Hirli triple murder in Odisha. He was convicted by Trial Court and the conviction was upheld by Odisha High Court.
3. Time in Jail: Spent nearly 22 years in prison.
4. Bench: Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran
5. SC Holding:
- Conviction was based on "weak and unreliable evidence"
- Criticized the Odisha High Court for not properly examining the appeal for years. The appeal had been pending for a very long time.
- Called it a "collective failure" of the criminal justice system - because an innocent person lost 22 years of life.
- Stressed: Criminal convictions must be based on credible and reliable evidence, not suspicion.

Court’s Order:
The Supreme Court set aside the conviction and ordered immediate release of Arjun Jani.

What the Court said - Important observations:
The bench noted that delay in deciding appeals + reliance on shaky evidence leads to gross miscarriage of justice. This case has been cited as an example of why speedy disposal of criminal appeals is critical.

It’s one of the most talked-about acquittals in 2025/2026 because of the 22-year wrongful incarceration.

This really highlights the principle: _“It is better that 10 guilty persons escape than that 1 innocent suffer.”_

Do you want me to find the full 2026 INSC citation and the exact paras where the Court talks about "collective failure"?

05/08/2026

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has denied bail to three men accused of abetting a young man's su***de, holding that his final WhatsApp messages naming them amount to a crucial prima facie dying declaration.

05/08/2026

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has held that the police cannot detain an accused in a bailable offence without first informing them of their statutory right to seek bail. Justice Milind Ramesh Phadke observed that this safeguard is an essential part of a fair criminal justice process, reinforcing the constitutional guarantee of personal liberty and ensuring that legal rights are not defeated by procedural lapses.

04/08/2026

03/08/2026

03/08/2026

President Droupadi Murmu gives assent to Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026

The bill was passed by Parliament on Thursday. The Act aims to curb unfair practices in public examinations by introducing stricter punishments and establishing fast-track courts.

Rashtrapati Bhavan Visit Ministry of I & B Ministry of Education